Abstract: A fire suppression solution comprising a saturated solution of either sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate and a dilute acid solution for a fire suppression apparatus having a first container for delivery of the saturated solution of sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate, a second container for delivery of the dilute acid solution, a first hose connected to the first container and a second hose connected to the second container such that when the saturated solution of sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate is delivered out of the first hose and mixes with the dilute acid solution delivered from the second hose carbon dioxide is produced to smother a fire.

Abstract: A method for improving the growth characteristics of plants of the C.sub.3 and CAM varieties comprises applying to the roots of the plants an aqueous solution containing methanol together with a high nitrogen fertilizer. The fertilizer comprises an N--P--K fertilizer having a high nitrogen content, preferably a 24-6-6 value, in which the nitrogen component is provided principally by ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate and ammonium phosphate. Use of urea as a nitrogen source in the fertilizer formulation is essentially avoided. Greatly improved growth characteristics have been demonstrated in comparative experimental tests with a large variety of C.sub.3 and CAM family fruits, vegetables, flowering plants and trees.

Abstract: A micropropagation method of growing plantlets in a liquid medium inside a container under sterile conditions comprises placing a rigid capillary block inside the container, in which the support block has a support region with upper and lower sides and a plurality of narrow diameter capillary holes extending through and opening to the upper and lower sides of the block's support region. The bottom side of the support block has feet that elevate the bottom side of the support region above the bottom of the container. A liquid-absorbing plant growth sheet such as filter paper rests on the upper surface of the block support region in contact with the capillary holes.

Abstract: A method of improving growth characteristics of orchid plants by applying alcohol to the orchid plant roots.

Abstract: A flow head for ventilators includes a tubular open-ended breath transmission passage, and a tubular open-ended inside tube mounted axially inside the breath transmission passage. The inside tube is mounted in the passage by a fixed annular partition, and the ends of the inside tube extend slightly beyond a pair of perpendicular outlet ports on opposite sides of the partition. The inside tube produces a constriction to bi-directional gas flow in the passage which produces a pressure drop across the outlet ports. A pressure sensor connected across the outlet ports measures the pressure drop and therefore produces a measurement of gas flow in the passage. Various sizes of patient gas delivery tubes, endotracheal tubes for ventilator therapy, or tubes for spirometry or anesthesia can be connected to the upstream end of the flow head for producing accurate measurements of gas flow.

Abstract: A device for maintaining collapsible dispensing tubes, particularly plastic tubes, in folded configurations comprises a strip of adhesive material and a release liner removably attached to the upper surface of the strip comprising three adjacent and separated release liner sections. A method of folding up the collapsible dispensing tube comprises exposing a portion of the adhesive material and folding the proximal end of the tube toward the distal end of the tube and attaching the proximal end of the tube to the adhesive sections, successively exposing portions of the adhesive strip and folding the proximal end towards the distal end of the tube along a folding line located a short distance from the previously attached proximal end of the tube.

Abstract: A gas flow measuring appartaus especially useful in a spirometer produces increased gas flow sensitivity and accurate gas flow rate measurements, especially at low gas flow rates. The apparatus includes a breath transmission passage, first and second ports spaced apart axially along the passageway, and a gas flow meter connected across the ports for measuring gas flow rate in the passageway. A plurality of elongated small diameter hollow tubes are mounted within the passageway proximate the locations at which the gas flow measuring ports communicate with the passageway. The small diameter tubes act as a restriction within the passageway for causing gas flow entering the passageway to flow past and through the tubes and toward the outer walls of the passageway, thereby producing a pressure drop across the ports that results in measurable gas flow rate measurements at the flowmeter.

Abstract: A fast operating bistable valve has a movable spherical plug made of magnetic material and a chamber in which the plug is disposed. The chamber has an interior wall shaped to guide the plug along an axis between a first end position and a second end position. A first pole piece made of magnetic material is disposed at the first end position. A first port opens into the chamber such that the plug covers the first port in one end position. A second port opens into the chamber in communication with the first port when the plug is in the other end position. Responsive to a periodic electric current, a first periodic magnetic field of a first given polarity parallel to the axis is generated in the first pole piece to attract periodically the plug to the first end position. The plug is placed in the second end position in the absence of the electric current.

Abstract: A stator has a cylindrical bore. A cylindrical rotor fits in the bore with a clearance. A circumferential groove varying in depth is formed around the circumference of the rotor. Ball bearings support the rotor for rotation in spaced relationship from the bore without a seal. Axially elongated inlet and outlet slots are formed in the stator so as to communicate with the groove at circumferentially spaced points. Vent holes lead from the bore to the exterior of the stator between the inlet and outlet and the ball bearings. The valve is coupled by first and second legs of a tee connection to a patient. A third leg of the tee connection is connected by a needle valve to a vacuum source.

Abstract: A stator has a cylindrical bore. A cylindrical rotor fits in the bore with a clearance. A circumferential groove varying in depth is formed around the circumference of the rotor. Ball bearings support the rotor for rotation in spaced relationship from the bore without a seal. Axially elongated inlet and outlet slots are formed in the stator so as to communicate with the groove at circumferentially spaced points. Vent holes lead from the bore to the exterior of the stator between the inlet and outlet and the ball bearings. The valve is coupled by first and second legs of a tee connection to a patient. A third leg of the tee connection is connected by a needle valve to a vacuum source.

Abstract: In a spirometer, a breath transmission passage has first and second ends open to the atmosphere and a given cross-sectional area. A patient breathes through the breath transmission passage bidirectionally. An elongated conduit has a first port at one end, a second port at the other end, and a third port intermediate to the first and second ports to form a first flow measurement passage in the conduit between the first and third ports and a second flow measurement passage in the conduit between the second and third ports. The first and second flow measurement passages have a substantially smaller cross-sectional area than the given cross-sectional area. The breath transmission passage at a point near the first end is coupled by a removable connection to the first port, and the breath transmission passage at a point near the second end is coupled by a removable connection to the second port.

Abstract: In a spirometer, a breath transmission passage has first and second ends open to the atmosphere and a restriction between the first and second ends. An elongated conduit has a first port at one end, a second port at the other end, and a third port intermediate to the first and second ports to form a first flow measurement passage in the conduit between the first and third ports and a second flow measurement passage in the conduit between the second and third ports. The first end of the breath transmission passage at a point near the restriction is interconnected to the first port, and the second end of the breath transmission passage at a point near the restriction is interconnected to the second port. A source of bias gas is connected to the third port. The difference between the rate of gas flow through the first and second flow measurement passages responsive to inhalation from the exhalation to the breath transmission passage is sensed to provide a bipolar indication thereof.

Abstract: A housing has elongated cavities in which four hot wires forming the arms of a bridge are disposed. Each hot wire comprises a first segment bent in half to extend along the length of the cavity away from a junction, and a second segment bent in half to extend along the length of the cavity away from the junction in the opposite direction from the first segment. The junction is centrally located relative to the ends of the cavity. The first and second segments are electrically connected to each other at one end and are electrically connected to other hot wires in the bridge at the other end by a printed circuit board at the junction. The middle of each segment is wrapped around first and second closely spaced rods deformed to exert tension on the segment. The circuit board is located in a chamber having a larger cross section than the cavities. In using the apparatus for chromatography, unknown gases in a carrier enter one of the cavities near the chamber.

Abstract: First and second elongated conduits each have an inlet and an outlet. First and second resistive elements having a resistance related to their temperature are disposed in the first and second conduits, respectively, in heat transfer relationship with gas flowing therethrough. A mixture of a first gas and a second gas having a different thermal conductivity than the first gas is supplied to the inlet of the first conduit in a fixed ratio. A mixture of the first and second gases is supplied to the inlet of the second conduit in a variable ratio related to a variable pressure to which a branch of a T-network is exposed. The sensor is specifically employed as a flowmeter, a micrometer, or a pressure sensor.

Abstract: A thin elongated hot wire is bent in half in an elongated cavity enclosed on its sides. The ends of the wire are supported by a circuit board at one end of the cavity and the middle of the wire is supported under tension by a quartz rod at the other end of the cavity, so the two halves of the wire are in spaced, approximately parallel relationship from each other and in spaced relationship from the sides of the cavity. The cavity is formed in a housing that comprises a block having a first flat surface and a plate having a second flat surface removably attached in abutment with the first surface of the block. The cavity is a groove formed in the first surface that has an open side enclosed by the second surface.

Abstract: A spirometer has a source of bias gas directly connected to a flow measurement passage so part of the bias gas flows through the flow measurement passage to the atmosphere instead of flowing through a breath transmission passage. In one embodiment, gas storage chamber is disposed between the breath transmission passage and the flow measurement passage so the gas stored in the chamber enters the flow measurement passage before a patient's breath from the breath transmission passage; the source of bias gas supplies the storage chamber. In another embodiment, a T-network has a first branch conduit connected to the source of gas, a second branch conduit connected to the breath transmission passage, and a third branch conduit connected to the atmosphere; the third branch conduit serves as the flow measurement passage.

Abstract: A thin elongated hot wire is bent in half in an elongated cavity enclosed on its sides. The ends of the wire are supported by a circuit board at one end of the cavity and the middle of the wire is supported under tension by a quartz rod at the other end of the cavity, so the two halves of the wire are in spaced, approximately parallel relationship from each other and in spaced relationship from the sides of the cavity. The cavity is formed in a housing that comprises a block having a first flat surface and a plate having a second flat surface removably attached in abutment with the first surface of the block. The cavity is a groove formed in the first surface that has an open side enclosed by the second surface.